Cosmic Queries – Discovering Exoplanets with Gáspár Bakos

About This Episode

How do we discover more exoplanets? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Matt Kirshen explore telescopes, exoplanets, and more with professor of astrophysics and Principal Investigator of HATNet Exoplanet Survey, Gáspár Bakos.

At what rate are we discovering exoplanets? Learn about the HATNet and how ground telescopes are helping the search for exoplanets. Learn how light detectors find their subjects and how low earth orbit objects impact exoplanet detection.

We discuss the difference between light pollution and light pollution from satellites. Discover models of what starlink will look like in the night sky and what simple ways we could decrease light pollution. Also learn first-hand the ways that astronomy is being impacted in the age of proliferating satellites.

Could an exoplanet have life like us in a binary solar system? What can we learn about exoplanets using their transits? We discuss biomarkers, planets without stars, and how many stars we have access to. Plus, could we someday use gravitational waves to detect exoplanets?

Thanks to our Patrons Thakiddv2, Aiden, Randy Spaulding, Jon Schwalbach, Mark, and Nicolay Doytchev for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.